Shining Star: Shahid Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sakheera

Author/Source: Bhai Zorawar Singh

Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sakheera`s father was Sardar Budh Singh and mother was Mata Surjit Kaur. Bhai Sahib had an elder brother, Balbir Singh, an elder sister, Dalbir kaur, a younger brother, Waryam Singh, and a younger sister, Sukhbir Kaur. His elder sister was married to the elder brother of the amazing Bhai Anokh Singh Babbar. Bhai Sahib's elder brother became a Shaheed in Police custody. His younger sister was also married. His younger brother was a farmer.

Bhai Sukhdev Singh studied to level 8. In 1980, Bhai Sahib met Baba Jarnail Singh Bindrawale and later took Amrit from Panj Piyarey at Damdami Taksal. He became a close companion of Baba Jairnal Singh ji. He spent time learning Santhia from the Taksal and even did seva in the Panj Piyarey during Amrit Sanchars. Whatever he said, he made sure he did. Bhai Sahib committed to give his head for Sikhi and only when necessary would not shy from taking heads for Sikhi.

He was very close to Bhai Anokh Singh Babbar. After the horrific events of Amritsar 1978, when Bhai Fauja Singh and 12 Gursikhs were Shaheed, the Babbar Khalsa began a process of elimination of the Nirankari leadership. Bhai Sahib`s name is also mentioned in some of these plans. His elder sister, being the sister-in-law of Bhai Anokh Singh Babbar means they were related. They developed a great love for each other and always staying together. Elder bibian often witnessed the two together, one Bhai Sukhdev Singh in Taksali bana, and the other Bhai Anokh Singh from Akhand Kirtani Jatha, wearing Nihang bana, with a dumalla and khanda, and many shastars in his arms. These elder mothers would bow before them and bless them stating, 'Never let anyone's bad sight (maree nazzar) fall upon the two'.

When the issue of marriage arose, Bhai sahib would state he, "... is already engaged,....death is my marriage, the Government has already arranged my wedding day... when the day comes, I will accept the marriage."

INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER

After the horrific events of Operation Blue Star, nobody imagined that Sikhs would again be a force capable of standing up to the Indian Government. However Bhai Sahib in his heart was determined. After 1984, he tried to gather the Singhs still alive to create a movement. He worked tirelessly day and night, and wanted to show the world that Singhs are never intimidated and that even if death stands in their way, they will never back down. "Singhs can be Shaheed, but they will never give up."

Bhai Sahib worked intimately within the Sikh Resistance Movement. When Bhai Sahib did katha his charisma shone and he influenced many people to take Amrit and share the burden of the Sikh Resistance Movement. After the Shaheedi of Baba Jarnail Singh Bhindrawala, Bhai Sahib was the first to openly speak on stage asking youth to take Amrit and fight the Government. As such he became very dangerous to the authorities, who made his elimination a high priority.

The Politics of the time were dominated by Longowal, Badal, Tohra, Talwandi, and Barnala. They all were all of a very shady nature, and only played self-interested politics. The youth desperate to get rid of these characters set up a new Akali Dal. Simranjit Singh Mann was selected as its first President, and its acting Presidentship was given to Bapu Joginder Singh, father of Baba Jarnial Singh Bindrawale. Senior Sikh leaders pledged support for this new party including Jathedar Ujjagar Singh Sekwon, Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Jathedar Soorat Singh, Charanjit Singh Walia, Jagjit Singh Rode, Jathedar Jagdev Singh Koodian (Shaheed MP), Sikh Students President Manjit Singh and General Secretary Harmander Singh Sandhu, who was in Jodhpur Jail at that time. Parcharaks such as Amrik Singh Mukhtsar joined them and Bapu Joginder Singh started doing large conferences in Punjab with Amrit Sanchars, and speeches about the Sikh Movement. The person who brought all of these people together and organised it was Sukhdev Singh Sakheera.

KAR SEVA OF SRI AKAL TAKHAT SAHIB

After Operation Blue Star, a Shaheedi samagam was held at Chowk Mehta, where the families of Shaheeds were honoured. After listening to the speeches, a five-member Panthik committee was selected. The vision of Sardar Dalbir Singh, the wisdom of Sirdar Kapur Singh, and influence of Dr Sohan Singh led to this happening. Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochal was selected as Jathedar of Akal Thakhat Sahib. This led to old traditions being brought back such as the Sarbat Khalsa. Bhai Sahib was staying with Baba Manochal in village Manochal, where both escaped after being surrounded by Police. To attend the Sarbat Khalsa both had to escape from many planned Police ambushes.

Sikhs started to get confidence again and awareness spread. At this time, a controversial subject in the Panth became the erection of the Siri Akal Thakhat Sahib, which was devastated by tanks and a helicopter gunship in 1984. Indira Gandhi and her stooge Santa Singh Nihang, using cheap labour from Bihar, and with government money erected the building. However the Sikh sangat wished to tear it down and rebuild it by Sikh hands, paid for by Sikh money. The SGPC would not allow them to do this. The Sikh Students Federation, the Damdami Taksal, Babbar Khalsa, KLF and other jathebandies were all in favour of even giving sacrifices to ensure that Indira Gandhi and Santa Nihang`s building is rejected and torn down and Sikh sponsored Kar Seva to reerect it done.

Bhai Sukhdev Singh was also in favor of this and wanted to resolve the issue in the proper manner. The Damdami Taksal and Sikh Student Federation announced that they had received letters from the worldwide Sangat on this matter, and on 26th January 1986 a Sarbat Khalsa was held to start the Kar Seva for a new Sri Akal Thakhat Sahib. Masses of Guru Nanak Dev jis followers attended the event. The SGPC leadership was stuck ason one side it was slapped down by the Delhi Government, and on the other side the Sikh youth was determined to get its way.

Noting the enthusiasm in the Sikh Sangat for demolishing the Indira Gandhi/Santa Nihang erection, the Head Granthi of Harmandar Sahib arranged a secret meeting between the SGPC and the Damdami Taksal and other Jujarhroo youth at Gurdwara Bir Baba Buddha Sahib. Baba Kharak Singh Kar Sevawale also attended with Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sakheera and his companions. Both sides gave their viewpoints and Baba Kharak Singh sided with Bhai Sukhdev Singh. Bhai Sahib`s voice was highly influential and the Kar Seva began demolishing the Indian Government sponsored and erected building with the Resolution passed in the 26th January 1986 Sarbat Khalsa.

LOVE FOR BABA JARNAIL SINGH BINDRANWALE

At that time, there was a Nihang called Kahn Singh Baggi, who had taken over Gurdwara Khadur Sahib. He was associated with the Taruna Dal group of Baba Bishan Singh from Baba Bakala. He treated Sikhs very arrogantly, and many members of the Sikh sangat were very unhappy with his anti-Sikh activities at the historic Gurdwara. As a result, the attendance at the Gurdwara dropped, resulting in less churava (golak money) for him. At a large meeting of Sikhs, Nihang Kahn Singh vehemently and abusively spoke against Shaheed Baba Jarnail Singh Bindrawale. Bhai Sukhdev Singh could not tolerate this, and said "Your men are gangsters and doing wrong, and you have the nerve to blame Mahapursh Sant Jarnail Singh for the dwindling sangat. You should think before you speak!" However Kahn Singh was influenced by noone, and said whatever came to his mouth without thinking. Bhai Sahib knew that now was not the time or place to do anything. However some time later, outside Punjab at Hola Mohalla celebrations, Nihang Kahn Singh was shot dead, by a Singh who escaped shouting "Sant Jarnial Singh Zindabad!" Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sakheera is credited with this action.

SHAHEEDI

In May 1986, a meeting happened between Bhai Sukhdev Singh and Baba Amrik Singh at Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Deep Singh, Amritsar. After the meeting, as they left the Gurdwara, two men in Sikhi disguise approached. As one bowed to say "Fateh" to Bhai sahib, the other shot Bhai Sahib at point blank range, then both jumped in a jeep and sped off.

The news of Bhai Sahibs Shaheedi spread throughout the Panth like wildfire. Every Sikh felt that their son Sakheera had passed away before his time. Another talented young Sikh had been lost in the typhoon of the Sikh Movement. When Bapu Joginder Singh, father of Baba Jarnail Singh ji, heard the news, he grew silent, and then said, "My General Sakheera has left us." Then tears streamed from his eyes. Bapu Joginder Singh had lost 6 sons and grandsons in Operation Bluestar, but never cried. But when Bhai Sukhdev Singh was Shaheed, he cried.

Bapu Joginder Singh was doing a series of Amrit Sanchars samagams, but straight away left with his Singhs for Amritsar. Baba Thakur Singh, head of Damdami Taksal also reached Amritsar after hearing the news. So did Bhai Sahibs father, Bapu Budh Singh and many of his village folk. In addition, many Jujarhroo Singhs who were underground also attended Amritsar.

Bhai Sahib's body was taken to village Sakheera. The village Sarpanch Sardar Karaj Singh, said, "Bhai Sukhdev Singh met me a few days ago. He said.... I will be a Shaheed soon. Take my body for cremation to Gurdwara MaeDass. Sit in the Gurdwara and enjoy the bliss of Gurbani." Bhai Sahib`s cremation happened at Gurdwara MaeDass. As well as Bapu Joginder Singh, Baba Thakur Singh and other noted Singhs, thousands of Sikhs attended the cremation in 1986, and shared the loss of a diamond of the Sikh Nation.

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